Shoe-protector.



J. R. HBTRIGK.

SHOE PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED DO.14, 19.10.

15018,?08. Patented Feb. 27, 1912.

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JOHN R. HETRICK, OF LOMPOC, CALIFORNIA.

SHOE-PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2'7, 1912.

Application filed December 14, 1910. Serial No. 597,228.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN R. HETRIOK, a citizen of the United States, residing at- Lompoc, in the county of Santa Barbara and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe- Protectors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shoe protectors, referring particularly to a device of this nature adapted for use by roof workers Whose work necessitates their sitting or crouching, and wherein it is necessary to insure a surer foothold upon the inclined surface over which the workers work.

The invention further contemplates a protector applicable either to the right or left shoe by peculiarly forming a heel strap which is adjustable and buckles upon the body of the protector so as to meet the heelstrap when applied upon either shoe.

The invention further comprehends a device of this nature which is capable of adjustment to shoes varying in size and which may be used for working over slippery surfaces and over rocks, and the like, which tend to out and destroy the shoe.

For a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved protector as applied to a left shoe. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the protector, and Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View through the protector and the shoe to which it is applied.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the accompanying drawing by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawing the numeral 10 designates the body of the protector which is formed preferably from a stout piece of leather and is of substantially triangular shape. From Fig. 1 it will be observed that the body 10 is positioned against the outer side of the shoe, the body 10 being arranged to present a straight upper edge and having its tapering lower end turned beneath the sole ll of the shoe. The body 10 is provided with a plurality of horizontal slits 12 spaced apart to provide flexible bars 13. The flexi ble bars 13 admit of the snug fitting of the body 10 against the side of the shoe so as to conform the body to the bulgin of the shoe at the point of application. glosely positioned studs 14 are disposed through the flexible bars 13 and have their heads arranged against the outer faces thereof. The studs 14 are adapted to contact with the surface of the roof or other surface with which the bulging portion ofthe shoe would otherwise contact.

The lower reduced end of the body 10 merges into a sole-strap 15 passing across the under side of the sole 11 and extending up around the opposite edge of the shoe. The sole-strap 15 is reduced and provided with a shoulder to form an adjusting or upper strap 16 which reaches over the upper of the shoe and is attached to the body 10 at its free end. Tabs 17 and 18 are pivoted upon the body 10 in the upper corners thereof and carry respectively, buckles 19 and 20. The sole-strap 15 is provided at its outer end with a heel-strap 21 which is hinged thereon by a rivet 22 and adapted to swing thereabout to extend from either edge of the sole-strap 15. Then the sole-strap 15 is in position the pivoted end of the heel-strap 21 is disposed at the inner side of the shoe and the strap is passed about the heel of the shoe and attached to the rear buckle, in the present instance the buckle 20. A plurality of spurs 23 are secured through the central portion of the solestrap 15 and'have depending pointed ends to form footholds for the wearer. The sole-strap 15 is preferably cut substantially V-shape so as to produce a greater bearing surface and to extend the central portion of the same across the sole 11 beneath the ball of the foot.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that the improved protector can be applied to either shoe by simply reversing the heelstrap 21. The body 10 engages over the outermost portion of the shoe and protects the shoe when it is brought into contact with sharp obstacles tending to cut the upper of the shoe. The device also serves as a protector for the sole ll of the shoe and as a foothold for the wearer.

It is well known that roof workers while applying shingles, tiles and the like, assume a sitting position and are generally in the habit of turning one shoe over and resting the upper thereof against the roof. In this manner the shoes are quickly worn through and this protector is designed particularly to protect that portion of the shoe .Whiclr formed upon the end of the sole-strap, a

buckle carried by the body to adjustably receive the outer end of the upper strap, a heel-strap pivoted upon the outer end of the sole-strap, and a second buckle carried by the body for receiving the extremity of the heel-strap.

2. A shoe protector including a flexible body portion for engagement against the outer side of a shoe, said body portion being slitted to provide flexible bars, the lower end of the body portion terminating in a sole-strap which is reduced at its outer end to provide an upper strap, a pivoted-tab upon the forward end of the body portion,

a buckle carried by the tab to receive the free end of the upper strap, a heel-strap hinged upon the outer end of the sole-strap, a second tab hinged upon the rear end of the body portion, and a second buckle carried by the second tab and adjustably receivingthe free end of the heel-strap.

3. A shoe protector including a flexible body of triangular form having spaced slits therein providing horizontal flexible bars, the lower end of the body tapering into a sole-strap which is reduced at its outer end toprovide an upper strap,spurs carried in the central portion of the sole-strap, studs positioned in the outer faces of the flexible bars, a pivoted buckle carried at the forward edge of the body to receive the free end of the upper strap, a heel-strap pivoted upon the outer end of the solestrap, and a second buckle pivoted upon the rear end of the body to adjustably receive the free extremity of the heel-strap.

4L. A shoe protector comprising a sole strap merging into an upper strap for engagement around the forward end of a shoe, separate buckles hinged upon the forward and rear edges and at the inner end of the sole strap and one at the inner end of the upper strap, the forward one of the buckles adjustably receiving the free end of the upper strap, and a heel strap pivotally connected to the sole strap and adapted to extend from either side of the same to adjust the protector for right and left shoes.

5. A shoe protector comprising a sole strap, an upper strap adapted to extend around the forward end of a shoe, and a heel strap pivotally connected to the sole strap and adapted to extend from either side thereof, whereby the protector is adapted for right and left shoes.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN R. HETRIGK. n 5.

Witnesses:

WVM. G. WATERS, G. WV. McCoMBnn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

